Okutama Hiking Guide: Tengu Falls, Aya Falls & Seoto-no-Yu Onsen (Tokyo)

パソコ

パソコだよ！今日も一緒に学んでいこう！

Okutama has some of Tokyo’s best hiking, and the Chisoku trail (千足コース)—connecting two distinct waterfalls, a mountain ridge, and a valley onsen—is one of the most satisfying single-day routes in the area. This guide covers everything you need, based on an actual hike in October 2023.

For the full trip story, see → Okutama Hiking Trip: Tengu Falls, Aya Falls & Seoto-no-Yu Onsen (Oct 2023)

Basic Data

Item	Details
Area	Hinohara Village / Akiruno City, Nishitama District, Tokyo
Difficulty	Intermediate (significant steep ascent and descent)
Distance	Approx. 8–10 km
Time	5–6 hours (including rest)
Start	Chisoku Bus Stop (30 min by bus from Musashi-Itsukaichi Station)
End	Jurigi Bus Stop (8 min walk from Seoto-no-Yu Onsen)
Best season	April–May (fresh green), October–November (autumn foliage)
Key note	Buses are infrequent. Always check the return timetable in advance

Access

Getting to the Start: Musashi-Itsukaichi Station → Chisoku Bus Stop

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Shinjuku
  ↓ JR Chuo Line ~30 min
Tachikawa
  ↓ JR Itsukaichi Line (via Haijima) ~30 min
Musashi-Itsukaichi Station
  ↓ Nishi-Tokyo Bus (bound for Chisoku) ~30 min
Chisoku Bus Stop (trail start)

Bus details:

Operator: Nishi-Tokyo Bus (西東京バス)
Route: Tominomori / Chisoku direction
Frequency: A few departures per day (slightly more on weekends and holidays)
Check the schedule in advance at the Nishi-Tokyo Bus official website

Getting Back: Jurigi Bus Stop → Musashi-Itsukaichi Station

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Jurigi Bus Stop (8-min walk from Seoto-no-Yu)
  ↓ Nishi-Tokyo Bus
Musashi-Itsukaichi Station
  ↓ JR Itsukaichi Line → Haijima → Chuo Line
Shinjuku

The return buses are also infrequent. Plan your onsen time around the bus schedule.

Course Timeline

Point	Cumulative time	Notes
Chisoku Bus Stop	Start	Trailhead sign is immediately beside the stop
Tengu Falls	30 min	Impressive 2-stage waterfall
Aya Falls	50 min	Slender, elegant waterfall. Trail ends here—backtrack and take the ridge route
Tsuzuraiwa junction	1 hr 20 min	Steep climb begins in earnest here
Ridge (Kanto Fureai Trail)	2 hr 30 min	Panoramic view near Fujimidai viewpoint
Tsuruashi / Odake junction	3 hr 30 min	Continue toward Mt. Koumyo
Koumyo Shrine Ruins	4 hr	Quiet historical site
Mazukari / Seoto-no-Yu junction	4 hr 20 min	Descent starts here
Jurigi Bus Stop	5 hr	Seoto-no-Yu is 8 min on foot

The Two Waterfalls: What Makes Each Special

Tengu Falls (天狗滝)

Height: Approx. 30m
Character: Powerful two-stage drop down bare rock
Highlight: Can get close enough to feel the spray
Access from trailhead: ~30 min

Aya Falls (綾滝)

Height: Approx. 20m
Character: Long, slender, elegant—like a bolt of white cloth hung against mossy rock
Highlight: The colour contrast of bright moss, dark stone, and white water is striking
Access from Tengu Falls: ~20 min (backtrack from Tengu Falls to the fork, then take the Aya Falls branch)

Comparison: Tengu Falls = power and volume; Aya Falls = elegance and visual beauty. Seeing both in sequence makes the contrast between them stand out clearly.

The Ridge: Highlights

Near Fujimidai (Approx. 700m elevation)

On a clear day, the Okutama and Akikawa ranges are visible layer upon layer. October is particularly good for visibility—the mountain silhouettes stack up into the distance, with crisp air and blue sky.

Koumyo Shrine Ruins (高明神社跡)

A stone monument on a mossy stone platform, deep in the cedar forest. No explanatory board, but the moss-covered stonework speaks to its age. A quiet, unexpected moment of history in the middle of a hiking trail.

The Kanto Fureai Trail (関東ふれあいの道)

The ridge section follows this well-signed trail. Trail markers are consistent and the route is clear, but the terrain is narrow and steep in places—trekking shoes are strongly recommended.

After the Hike: Seoto-no-Yu Onsen

Item	Details
Name	Akikawa Valley Seoto-no-Yu (秋川渓谷瀬音の湯)
Address	565 Otsu, Akiruno City, Tokyo
Hours	10:00–21:00 (seasonal variations—check official site)
Entry fee	Approx. ¥900 (adult, as of 2023)
Spring type	Alkaline simple spring (leaves skin noticeably smooth)
Facilities	Outdoor bath, indoor bath, rest area, restaurant, shop
Access	8-min walk from Jurigi Bus Stop

The outdoor bath overlooks the Akikawa valley, with the view changing through the seasons. After the hike, this is exactly where you want to end up.

Cost Breakdown (Per Person, Day Trip)

Item	Estimated cost
JR train (Shinjuku ↔ Musashi-Itsukaichi, round trip)	Approx. ¥1,160
Nishi-Tokyo Bus (start + return equivalent)	Approx. ¥700
Seoto-no-Yu entry	Approx. ¥900
Food and drinks	¥1,000–2,000
Total	Approx. ¥3,800–4,800

Gear Checklist

Trekking shoes (essential—steep terrain throughout)
Rain gear (mountain weather changes quickly)
Water (no vending machines on trail; no convenience stores between bus stop and onsen)
Packed lunch or snacks (prepare before departure)
Return bus timetable (screenshot it before you leave the coverage area)

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Mistake 1: Missing the bus
→ Buses are infrequent, especially on the return. Calculate your onsen time against the bus schedule before you start hiking.

Mistake 2: Getting lost on the ridge
→ The Kanto Fureai Trail signage is good, but the section climbing from Tsuzuraiwa to the ridge has multiple forks. Check a map beforehand.

Mistake 3: Running out of energy on the descent
→ This is a point-to-point traverse, not a loop. Pace yourself going up—the descent is steeper than expected, and a walking stick (or found branch) helps considerably.

Summary

The Chisoku waterfall trail offers two distinctive waterfalls, a long mountain ridge with sweeping views, a surprise historical site, and a hot spring at the finish line—all within two hours of Shinjuku. For a day hike that delivers more than just exercise, this is one of Tokyo’s best options.

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